This Saturday the new Mole line linking Altza and Galtzaraborda is launched

This Saturday the new underground variant of the Mole between Altza (San Sebastián) and Galtzaraborda (Errenteria) will be launched following the construction of a new two-kilometre double track section , which will allow the frequency of trains between Pasaia and Amara to be doubled, with trains circulating every 7.5 minutes on working days.

The work continues with the variant opened in 2016 between Herrera and Altza, along with the construction of a new underground station in Pasai Antxo, which will allow the demolitionof the 1912 railway viaduct that passes by the homes of this neighborhood  and the recovery of the urban area of3,500 square meters  .

Much of the new route runs through a tunnel, from Altza to Galtzaraborda, where it connects with the current infrastructure. The action will allow for other future works such as the covering of the railway in Galtzaraborda and the construction of a new station in that neighbourhood.

With the disappearance of Altza's "bag bottom", the service increases its continuity and capacity, from 136 circulations on working days to 274 between Altza and Pasaia, which will lead to an improvement in the frequency of passenger service.

Inaugural trip

This Friday, institutional representatives took part in the inaugural trip prior to the launch of the variant, which was attended by, among others, President Imanol Pradales, Susana García Chueca, Counsellor for Sustainable Mobility , Gipuzkoa MP Eider Mendoza and Mayor of San Sebastián Jon Insausti.

Pradales has stressed that the Mole "will go on to play in another league", since Gipuzkoa "will be a pioneer in forming a first-class rail network of proximity". Furthermore, both the lehendakari and the counsellor have agreed that this work is a "clear commitment" of the Basque Government to sustainable and future public transport.

The works, financed by the Basque Government and carried out by Euskal Trenbide Sarea (ETS), represent a further step in the improvementof the rail network in Gipuzkoa , strengthening the connection between San Sebastián and its metropolitan area, promoting territorial cohesion and improving the public transport service, as highlighted by the lehendakari.

He also stressed that "this is not an end station," and called for "further progress, looking beyond the next stop," because "what is yet to come is exciting."

Thus, he referred to the Donostia-San Sebastián crossingthat will complete the East-West axis before the end ofthe year, the Irun/Hendaia/Baiona project, "which will connect the North with the South", the end ofthe intermodal station prior to the arrival of the High Speed and the future connection with the Renfe suburban networkthrough the exchanger.